African students who apply to study at universities and colleges in the United States experience the highest visa refusal rates of all international students applying to study in the US with more than half of all applicants rejected.
The Voice of America, quoting a study published by Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, analysing application trends over the years reported that there was a huge disparity witnessed between visa issuance for students in Africa and those from other parts of the world.
Data in the report, covering 2023 showed that 75 per cent of applications submitted by Nigerian students were rejected.
VOA reported that although the number of visa refusals was high in the Middle East and South America, Africa recorded the highest rejection rates.
More details revealed that Ethiopia led the pack with 78 per cent of denials followed by Nigeria with a 75 per cent denial rate in the year 2023, while Kenya came in at a close third.
Other countries listed were Congo at 69%, Ghana at 63%, Zimbabwe at 47%, and South Africa at 17%.
In European countries, for instance, one in 10 students was denied a visa during the same time frame.
Lobby groups have raised concerns over the large number of African students turned away while applying for Visas at American Embassies.
According to NAFSA: Association of International Educators, an NGO headquartered in Washington, which specializes in internal education, the trend is worrying as it blocks international students from a fair shake at pursuing opportunities.
Additionally, the association warned that the Visa denials could also result in the loss of top talent with the US set to lose out.
The association also warned that the US. ranked lower in Visa issuance compared to European countries where only one out of ten students were denied visas.
This comes after the United Kingdom started clamping down on immigration.
On March 11, the UK banned care workers from bringing in dependants into the country, a policy decision which affects a large number of internationals including tens of Kenyans.
